Beijing locks down some areas as COVID-19 cases mount

13 Sept 09:40 Key points summarised by AI

Beijing launched mass COVID-19 testing for over 3 million residents and imposed partial lockdowns in some areas following a new outbreak with 70 reported cases.
The capital's strict "zero-COVID" measures, including restricting movement and closing entertainment venues, sparked worries among residents of a wider Shanghai-style lockdown.
Chaoyang district, the epicenter of the new cases, mandated three rounds of testing for its 3.5 million residents and workers to curb further spread.
The swift response aims to prevent a severe situation like Shanghai's, which has been under a strict lockdown for weeks, reporting thousands of daily infections and dozens of deaths.

Macron condemns those who 'sought to bring down the Republic' after rioting mars nationwide protests

Yesterday 12:56 Key points summarised by AI

President Macron condemned widespread rioting and looting during nationwide protests, blaming far-left activists and criminals for the "unrestrained violence" and vowing accountability for those who "sought to bring down the Republic."
Over 2,400 arrests were made as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions escalated, causing extensive damage to public buildings and businesses in cities like Paris, Limoges (where City Hall burned), Marseille, and Lyon.
The unrest, which organizers hoped would revive the "yellow vest" movement, saw political leaders trade blame, with Macron instructing prefects to protect public buildings and potentially ban future protests to prevent further disorder.